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The problems were so pervasive that over a recent three-year period, the city paid more than $70,000 to settle claims from those whose cars were damaged, stolen from or mistakenly sold while at the impound lot.

The kicker: Memphis police have charged an impound shift manager — whose job was to protect the 13,000-plus cars brought in annually — with burglary.

"Through no fault of their own, these people were victimized twice, and that makes my blood boil," Mayor A.C. Wharton told the Commercial Appeal about the situation.

The Commercial Appeal/ZUMAPRESS/Corbis

Your car may be unsafe at an impound lot.

It wasn't until early this year that Memphis officials began to understand what was going on. They installed extra lighting and surveillance cameras and soon watched as thieves nabbed everything from radios to tools and clothing in at least 10 separate acts, according to Martha Lott, director of general services for the city.

When police made an arrest, the thief brought a twist to the table. He implicated the shift manager.

The development is "very disappointing," Lott says. She attributes the problems to lax management and says changes are under way.

Memphis officials have put the police in charge of the impound lot for the time being while they investigate further.